Cutting Line Design Patterns, Events and Announcements II

[Linda Dean]

I hope Louise is safe and well and her house isn't damaged.  I will be attending her workshop with Susan Khalje in October.  I am really looking forward to it.  Louise is a wonderful person and so talented.
Linda

[Karendee]

Louise,

My thoughts are with you during all this time of cleanup.

Alice,
So sorry for your continued problem with your auto. You seem to be handling the whole situation with class, but you've been sharing "wheels" for quite some time. But I bet you have lots of people who want to cart you around and do for you. But in the meantime, we'll think of you.

Karend

[LyndaC]

Helenne, do you remember the old financial commercial on television?   There was a busy, crowded restaurant, and when this well-dressed executive-type man began to speak, everyone froze to listen.  Then the moderator said something like, "When *****(financial service) speaks, everyone listens."

Kind of like Louise, huh?

[Alice in Bama]

Lynda


      I have though of that many of time  .[especialy when we go to eat with Louise ]  That commercial always comes to mind. 

I could listen to Louise for hours and never never get board and learn so much . 


Terri in NC

    I was look at Nimus Marcus's[hope i spelled that right ] today i saw your jacket you made last year for the Alta expofro Louise pattern it was a Eskandar jacket  how dare them steel your ideal 


Louise
Hope your back home safe and sound . Hope you did not have to much flood damage or water damage . Look like the next one going to miss you and hit close to our place in the gulf so look like we want be going to the Gulf for labor Day weekend afterall since its going to be raining  down there all weekend anyway I just have to stay up in central Alabama and sew it a tough job i know but will mange some how

[Alice in Bama]

Alice,
So sorry for your continued problem with your auto. You seem to be handling the whole situation with class, but you've been sharing "wheels" for quite some time. But I bet you have lots of people who want to cart you around and do for you. But in the meantime, we'll think of you.

Karend

KAREN
 yes MY FRIENDS oops  sorry caps left on  say I am a surviver But it means no tomatoes for you    oops something went wrong with the quote

ETA: closing bracket on opening "quote" tag...fixed it for you, Alice!

[marciae]

I'm hoping Louises house, etc are ok.  She's had quite a time the past six years.  Louise, youre in my prayers.  Maybe you should consider moving to Colorado??

[Alice in Bama]

  isn't there a lot of snow and floods in Colorado with Tornado

[Karendee]

Alice,

The offer of the tomatoes was the best part; we'll just do the "tomato trip" another year. Hope your place on the coast is spared any water damage. It's amazing how far Fay affected the nation. I've just gotten internet service back about almost 24hr. bout without it. We had a terrible storm yesterday, that downed many trees etc. in the area. But we did receive valuable rain.

Karend

[marciae]

isn't there a lot of snow and floods in Colorado with Tornado

Snow - yes - tornados - this one this year (in Windsor) was very rare - unlike the storms that have been hitting Florida!!  I have a daughter in Tampa so I really watch the storm pattern there.  Louise got hit by two major storms at her fabric store and ended up closing.  Wouldn't happen every year in Colorado!!

[Terri K]

Alice and all - just got back from getting my hair done for the Italy trip since I leave next week.   I am following Louise's advice in her travel booklet.  My hairdresser gave me several packs of their give-aways of color preserve shampoo, conditioner and styling gel to take with me - very nice and no bottles.  I went by Belk Dept Store  and picked up a set of travel samples from the Origins skin care giveaway promotion and a tube of my TNT "Out Smart" tinted SPF 25 sunscreen.  I never go out without sunscreen 

Yes, the Eskandar Fall collection is out and many great looks.  I get a lot of ideas for color combos by looking that them.   Here's their version of the "Of The Moment Tabard"  in what they are calling "One-Ply ripple cotton", price is $670.   I can buy a lot of cotton for that 


Eskandar Rippled Tabard on Neiman Marcus site

[PatTM]

Oh yes, the Eskandar fall line is out.  I received my catalog a couple weeks ago.   Love the colors (as always).  There seemed to be more knits than in the past.    I agree Terri, you can buy a lot of fabric, no matter the type, for the money these garments cost.  I love to visit the Eskandar shop in Neiman's in Denver,  but also the one in Atlanta is absolutely the best.  The saleslady really works to educate her client about these clothes and is very generous with "try-ons" and suggestions for putting outfits together.  And there is no pressure.   A great place to snoop shop.  I try not to take too much advantage of this, but I only visit Atlanta about twice a year so I think I am OK.   And, of course, with Louise's patterns this look can be duplicated with no trouble.  Just still working on the proportions for me.
Pat

[Alice in Bama]

To Pat and Marciae ,



                        My sister lives in Grand Junction and my niece [her daughter ] lives in Leadville Co. either one of you close to them ?

                        Alice in Bama


PS  my sister a sewer to but been sewing for the Grandchildren lately !!! the little angles

[Alice in Bama]

Karend,

  I Here you about the rain we need too boy did we ever get it 11 inchs yea    Hope you get every thing clean up.In time  for some football

 Alice in Bama

[PatTM]

No, Alice- Sorry, I am not close to any of your family members in Colorado.   I live just a bit northwest of Denver in the Boulder area.   We have been here for many years. Colorado is a great place to live.  Our weather extremes are relatively few and generally short-lived.  Even in Winter I rarely wear a really heavy coat.

I hope you and all our friends in Florida and along the Gulf coast come through this Fall with no damage to property or injury to their person.

Pat

[LOUISE CUTTING]

Well, I am here, sort of....I now have internet and have read all your comments and I thank you for your kind thoughts. I have not had my business phone line since last Thursday and they are thinking I might get it back tomorrow...or not....so here I sit trying to get things done.

I have the lower portion of the back yard covered in many, many, many feet of water. I have a small creek that separates me from a 55 acres of what was a beautiful garden that belongs to the city...it is still trying to come back from the last set of Hurricanes 4 years ago. And now we have it all over again. But I have seen blue herons...gaud, are they huge birds, white egrets, wood ducks, and 2 otters playing in the...what is now a very large, wide lake.  I lost 7 trees because they had to stand in water for over 6 months. The water is in about  the same spot up the back and I fear it will take again that long for it to go back down...they say it goes down 1" a day! Trees look so much bigger laying down than standing up. So I will wait this one out...again.

I have had the skylight repaired so I don't have to move a pan under it. While the repair men were up on the roof, I had all 4 skylights checked and so I think I am set...until next time. You just zig when you can't zag.

The house is just about finished being painted...everything was put on hold for about 10 days coming into Fay and then nothing could be done until just a few days ago...but all should be back in place tomorrow or Friday, at least house wise.

In the mean time, since I have had at any given time about 5 -7 painters, repair people, roofers, air condition person here, off and on, since Aug 1st...I decided to move all things 'Ebb and Flow' down stairs. I have been drawing the step-by-step illustrations  or trying to...so, this way, working down stairs, I don't have to keep stopping and racing up and down the stairs from one end of the house to the other to answer questions. The one shirt is finished as far as the illustrations and started on the illustration for the envelope cover. If all goes well, everything should be completed by Monday. Because of the weather hiccup I think 'Ebb and Flow' will now be out in November. Way to much travel and well, just life keeping me from getting down to business on the pattern.

Kitty is still not 100% and and I have been told is now deaf. As I understand...through reading as much as I can, an inner ear infection can take a very long time to mend...the deafness might be his fate...he has become very loving...I'm sure is wondering what is going on...granted...he is a beautiful Persian...but is someplace below lint on the intelligence scale. I have no idea where this and the upper respiratory infection would have come from. The two cats have never been out of the house. But I'll get through this too.

I have drafted up 3 new Shapes and have send them of to Linda Lee to take a look at. We are trying to bring out another 5 by Puyallup.  When I don't have internet and sometimes not electric...I have a pencil I can draft while I have daylight.

Well, the list I keep adding to is long for tomorrow and I need to give the kitties a 'night cap' so I can get some sleep and not have a 'walk over' at about 3am. "Just checking that you are still here and that is you...walk over" Standing upright on your check is always fun. "oh, good, she's awake now!"

till later, Louise

[Alice in Bama]

Alice and all - just got back from getting my hair done for the Italy trip since I leave next week.   I am following Louise's advice in her travel booklet.  My hairdresser gave me several packs of their give-aways of color preserve shampoo, conditioner and styling gel to take with me - very nice and no bottles.  I went by Belk Dept Store  and picked up a set of travel samples from the Origins skin care giveaway promotion and a tube of my TNT "Out Smart" tinted SPF 25 sunscreen.  I never go out without sunscreen 

Yes, the Eskandar Fall collection is out and many great looks.  I get a lot of ideas for color combos by looking that them.   Here's their version of the "Of The Moment Tabard"  in what they are calling "One-Ply ripple cotton", price is $670.   I can buy a lot of cotton for that 


Eskandar Rippled Tabard on Neiman Marcus site

  Terri,

      What will we do when you are in Italy? Who going to advise us on our computer problem's and sewing stuff 

ETA: space after smilie code

[artistwhosews]

Have a great trip Terri, and you know we will all be expecting a thorough Italian fashion report when you return 

[LOUISE CUTTING]

Mornin' gang

I am finally checking in...I am away for my usually peaceful Sept. vacation in Nantucket. Was very hectic at the end trying to get everything done for Ebb and Flow and sent off to get computer digitized...this way, all the different sizes have their own line markings and the labels placed. But, I found a button placement mistake and had to put everything on hold until I sent the correction.

The cover illustrations and done...and when I am sitting here waiting for Hanna to blow through tonight...we have been told to expect 50+mph gusts all night before it blows out to sea...I will try to get the illustrations placed here. I figured if anyone wants wind or rain...have me come and I will bring Fay and now Hanna. 

I am on dial up this year at the house...not quite sure why, but it has been a cause trying to get everything working with the laptop this year. Boy, when you are used to high speed....this just takes forever....and we use to think this was fast!

No guests until next Thursday at the house....have a ton of books (will list later) all related to fashion in some way and doing needlepoint...about the only time I can (or want) to do it, for some reason.

Have figured out the old VCR to tape the Chanel mini series on the Sept 13th on the Lifetime channel. The dates were too far in the future to set the DVR at home to tape it...I can't find out when the second...seeing they said mini series....is planning on airing so I can set the VCR again to tape it also.

Living here is like turning you calendars back about 10-15 years...(but some say really 100-300 years...seeing the island was setled in 1628!) it does moves up here...just on 'Island Time' ... well, I have some errand to run in town, so before the outter bands of Hanna start to hit, i'm outta here....keep me posted on what you are all doing. till later, Louise   

[sewingbeth]

So glad to hear from you and know you are in a relaxing place (after Hanna's visit).   "Ebb and Flow" will be an especially appropriate name for the new pattern. Do you want any pre orders?  Would you be able to package fabric with the patterrn, say if I ordered a medium colored green linen and a "toast" colored linen?  (and promised to go with your good judgment and not be aggravating you with returns)

 Can you see the ocean from your house without going outside? 

Shopping yesterday with soon to be temporary invalid friend.  Lingerie departments are full of attractive small geometric rayon print ONE SEAMS with coordinating short wrapped tops like a short housecoat over pants.  Didn't  find long button down the front cotton or rayon house coats we needed.

Sewingbeth   

[Alice in Bama]

Louise,

              you luck is as bad as mine.   OK I mean you just can't escape the hurricane  they just want to follow you were ever you go . We are watch Ike very closely here hope you stay save till later

Alice

[Terri K]

Alice I just send you a private message with my cell phone so you can call me.    Flight doesn't leave until around 10:30 tonight.    Louise's travel book is in the car!   I took my ugly sketcher's shoes because it was raining all day until 4 pm here in the DC area.  They will stay in the car now since it finally stopped and blew out but no rain in western NC I understand      Got a European phone and transferred DH's number to that one.

[LOUISE CUTTING]

Do you want any pre orders?  Would you be able to package fabric with the patten, say if I ordered a medium colored green linen and a "toast" colored linen?  (and promised to go with your good judgment and not be aggravating you with returns)

 Can you see the ocean from your house without going outside? 

I will send out a broadcast e-mail when it closer to the time for E &F to come out. I can't do anything about fabric until after I get off the road around the first week of Nov. I decided I am not going to do like I did last year with the fabric samples....being sent via return e-mails...the colors could not hold and things that looked like they should match didn't on the internet and things that didn't match looked like they did.  I'll go back to the 'if you want samples, the SASE' and I'll send out...but don't do it now...I won't know what I have in stock until all the dust settles plus I have some orders from fabric vendor's still to come in late Oct for the fall winter season.

Hanna went through about 3am...I know that because the window shade in my bedroom blew with the window being open and snapped up to the top...I have been up since then! The wind is still up a bit, but much better than early this morning. Sun is out and it will be a great day. Yes, I do see the ocean and all the white caps today.

Back to get another cup of coffee and sit outside in the sun...till later, Louise

[Terri K]

Greetings from the Castello di Grinzane in the Langhe region where I just had dinner.     If you look at their slide show, that is exactly what it looked like the evening and the next day when we came back to visit in the daylight.    The castello dates back to before 1,000 and is very historic.  The selections of the courses shown were what was on our menu.     Each night we went to a different outstanding restaurant and had a multiple course dinner with different local wines that were specialties of the house.     

[joanier]

Sure, Terri.  Rub it in.  Looks like an absolutely miserable place!

Just kidding!  Hope you're having a wonderful time.   

[Velma42 (Barbara)]

Has anyone had any luck machine washing silk duipioni, or should I stick with having it dry cleaned?  Also, how do I keep my knit fabric from bunching up towards the end of sewing around the elastic waist of my Farewell To Arms Skirt/One Seam Pants/etc.?

Louise, I can hardly wait for my trip to Asheville next month!!!  Are you bringing your fabrics?  Good to see you in Kennesaw.

[Alice in Bama]

silk duipioni  I have wash it by hand never by machine but it does take some of the sheen away from it so i would suggest test swatch washing before I did the whole yardage of fabric and see if i like what it did

Alice

[Terri K]

My friends I am back.    I just went through the slide show of all the photos I took with my son before he went to work.   He is editing them on his computer.    We arrived back at Dulles last evening at around 6:40 EST.     DH decided he didn't want to stay the night there in N. VA so drove all night (with me sleeping on my trusty pillow in the passenger seat.    So we arrived at our NC exit at 4:20 am this morning and the gas prices were $3.99.     I have been up since then unpacking, still on Eu time but when we went out to grocery shop around 9:30, the gas prices had been re-set to $4.39.      What gouging and all they have to do is to make up some excuse.   

We had a wonderful trip with a fabulous host and travel agency guide who will be working with me on a fashion/shopping Italy trip for next fall.   They are both Italian Americans who were born in Italy and they put together a great adventure.   We had 4 or 5 star multi-course wine dinners featuring local specialties every evening, stayed at 15th century villas converted to 4 star hotels and ate not one slice of pizza.   This was a custom trip prepared for the owner of two northern Italian restaurants in the Maryland suburbs and a small group of patrons.   I loved Air France and my travel wardrobe with the help of Cutting Across the Country in Style worked beautifully from the towns in the Piemonte, the upscale city of Torino then to the seaside city of Genova, Sestri Levante, the Ligurian hills and the Cinque Terre along the Mediterranean.

[Karendee]

Sounds like a wonderful trip, Terri.

Karen

[LyndaC]

Velma, try washing your silk dupioni by machine, but be aware, as Alice said, that you will lose the stiffness and some of the sheen.   To me, this is a plus.  I like the softness washing by machine in a lingerie bag produces.  I also think it pronounces the weave more, which is again a positive to me.

After making the garment, I usually soak it in the sink in diluted shampoo and cool water while I shower, rinse with cool water, and hang in the shower to drip dry after pulling on all the seams to straighten.

[reanns]

Terry - Here I sit on the beautiful island of St. Kitts at the beginning of my 2-year Peace Corps assignment and all I want to do is go to Italy with you next Fall!  By then I will have amassed a large amount of vacation time, and since my boys will be coming here to visit instead of me returning Stateside, I would seriously love to be on your mailing list when you finalize your plans. 

Guess what?  I'll be teaching sewing!  I was so thrilled to learn I would be working with the Department of Gender Affairs - Woman's Skills division, not only with small business start-ups but teaching basic computer and sewing.  The director, a wonderful woman, offered me the use of one of their machines, in my own place, once I move there in mid-October.  I can't tell you how much I miss my machine and being surrounded by my stash!  There is a wonderful batik factory here on the island and I am meeting with the owner next week to discuss how to improve their marketing and possible export options. 

Being a Peace Corps volunteer at my advanced age is really much easier than if I were as young as the rest of our incoming group. (Average age 22.)  I think I have a much better grasp of what I can accomplish while here and what I can't.  The island is beautiful, the weather is very hot and humid, the people are kind and open and are living about 60-70 years behind our times.  Today is the celebration of their 25th year of independence and the distance they have come since the early 80's is amazing and I know that will keep working toward bettering their lives and living conditions as they go forward.

That said -  Terry, put me on your list!  Take care and keep sewing.  I so enjoy reading about what everyone is making and doing.

ReAnn
St. Kitts/Nevis

[Terri K]

ReAnn - Great to hear from you and see that you're looking fabulous and healthy.     I've uploaded some of the 300 plus photos I took in Italy and have been fighting Vista since they are on the other computer - not this Mac.     PM me if you are in any way interested in a trip to Italy with me!    Wait till you see the photos and the food!    I actually lost weight - must have been all that red wine
 
I begged Louise for a photo of the new Ebb and Flow and here it is -   So Louise is right there front and center of the fashion trends.  I've juxtaposed it with this Michael Kors outfit right off the Spring 09 runway show since  the upcoming blouse pattern (Ebb and Flow) is so much like the white blouse shown with the black/white check skirt.  I have some great white cotton jacquard shirting from Waechter's that I intend to sew one up in when the pattern is available.   Then of course, here's my interpretation of the black white check theme that I sewed late summer using the new Shapes line and her ABO top pattern in the pique knit.

[Alice in Bama]

Hey Terri.   

         Looks like you are too.  going after buttons this afternoon at Hancocks

[PatTM]

I personally think Louise's version is better than the MK version!  Much more shape.  BTW, Terri what is the jacket you are wearing in your italy picture?   Love the skirt too.  You look great!
Pat

[Terri K]

Pat, that's a fitted cotton/lycra stripe Doncaster jacket I picked up to match some blue and tan pieces I took.   It was cool the morning we visited Cherasco in Piemonte, so I wore a sleeveless linen blouse underneath.   I got a lot of wear out of it, also pairing it with tan poplin/lycra and then cross dye linen SW Ikina crop pants in Sestri Levante which is right on the Mediterranean sea.   I posted a complete list of what I took (thanks to Louise's Cutting Across the Country with Style booklet) on the Wardrobe and Capsule planning topic under Fashion/Style/Wardrobe.    Here's a link to some photos I added to the Italy Wardrobe Flickr Set with what I actually took and wore.



Notice all the glasses as the desert course was served, and we had not gotten to the after dinner drinks yet.  This was last Saturday nights dinner at La Brinca, a restaurant high in the Ligurian Hills high above Sestri.   You wouldn't believe the roads we drove to get there and you didn't want to look over the edge  .   Each night we dined at a different restaurant which was chosen for it's location and specialties.   Each chef had been told to prepare a dinner featuring local foods and their specialties of food and wines.   We were provided with a special menu for the dinners - all four or five star with a different wine served with each course.   I actually lost weight because this is the classic Mediterranean diet and leisurely walking every day.

[LyndaC]

Reann, I am thrilled for you!    And I understand!   I am going to Haiti February 15 to start a sewing school for The Good Shepherd Ministry.   The ladies on this site have been so generous.  Items are packed and on a container in Melbourne, florida, awaiting shipment in last October.   I don't expect to find any batik factories - or ANY factories - there, however.